Weather & Climate in Saluda, NC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Saluda enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 302 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 64.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,178 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	59.6°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,178 ft (664 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.0 km²)
Population Density	433/sq mi
Coordinates	35.2375°N, 82.3469°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Henderson County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 64.4"

69% above US avg

Snowfall 4.9"

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.02"

Driest Month (Apr) 4.33"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	69.3 / 100
Community Resilience	40.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

50 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.

Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	83 km	1 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	140 km	3 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	61 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	146 km	9 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	138 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	136 km	14 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	108 km	2 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	75 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	36 km	9 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	129 km	7 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	147 km	10 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	120 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	108 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	75 km	4 km
Jul 11, 2000	7 km WSW of Seymour, Tennessee	M2.8	149 km	10 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	93 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	60 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	16 km	6 km
Aug 4, 2017	8 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M2.7	135 km	10 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	150 km	11 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	128 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

315 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 402 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	42 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	74 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	96 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	98 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	98 km	1.0 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	53 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	49 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	61 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	39 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	42 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	85 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	58 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	44 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	88 km	22.3 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	65 km	8.4 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	52 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	91 km	4.2 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	86 km	2.6 mi	0
Aug 26, 2008	EF2	84 km	5.5 mi	0
Jan 13, 2005	EF2	95 km	12.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	81 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	28 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	40 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	76 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	76 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	85 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	86 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	54 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	79 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	58 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	89 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	86 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	93 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	92 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	90 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	90 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	96 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	92 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	85 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	54 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	5.0 in
February	40°F (4°C)	4.8 in	Coldest
March	47°F (9°C)	6.0 in	Wettest
April	55°F (13°C)	4.3 in	Driest
May	62°F (17°C)	5.3 in
June	69°F (21°C)	5.1 in
July	78°F (25°C)	5.0 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	5.3 in
September	66°F (19°C)	4.5 in
October	56°F (13°C)	4.7 in
November	47°F (9°C)	4.9 in
December	40°F (4°C)	4.7 in

Saluda has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in February to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.0") and April the driest (4.3").

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